Sectioned skull in profile to left with the left side of the cranium removed (1651, Met-Objekt 5472)
Original title: Sectioned skull in profile to left with the left side of the cranium removed
kurzbeschreibung
A human skull in profile with the left side of its cranial vault removed, exposing the interior — this etching by Wenceslaus Hollar dates from 1651. The sheet measures 6.7 × 7.5 cm and survives as a single print in only one state.
Description
Fine parallel hatching of varying thickness and length models the shadows and contours of the skull. The missing left side of the vault reveals internal bone structures and veins. A background of horizontal lines gives the image a restrained texture. At the bottom edge appear the inscription 'Leonardo da Vinci doltis' and the date 'Wollar feat. 1651'. The palette is confined to black and white.
Context
Hollar made this sheet in 1651, likely as part of his studies after Leonardo da Vinci, whose drawings he reproduced in etchings. The source was an anatomical study attributed to Leonardo — hence the signature. Hollar was known for his precise reproductions of artworks and natural-history specimens. The small format suggests a close adherence to the original.
Impact
Clinical precision and a calm, almost scientific air define the etching. The delicate linework creates a subtle plasticity that draws the viewer to follow the anatomical details closely. The focus on essentials gives the sheet a timeless clarity.
Technique
An etching that exists in only one state. The fine parallel lines were scratched into an etching ground and then bitten, producing the shading. The paper is slightly trimmed at the sides, about 3 mm within the plate mark.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)